THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it will temporarily suspend the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or the number coding scheme on Wednesday, January 29, in observance of the Chinese New Year.
The agency made the announcement yesterday, adding that traffic flow in Binondo, Manila – also known as Chinatown – tends to be heavy during the celebration as members of the Filipino-Chinese community carry out their traditions in what is considered the heart of the Chinese commercial and cultural center in the country.
“Suspendido ang pagpapatupad ng expanded number coding scheme sa Miyerkules, Enero 29, bilang pagdiriwang ng Chinese New Year (The implementation of the expanded number coding scheme on Wednesday, January 29, will be suspended due to the celebration of the Chinese New Year),’ the MMDA said in an advisory.
Chinese New Year is a special non-working holiday in the country.
Under the number coding scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on roads every Monday, 3 and 4 on Tuesday, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, 9 and 0 on Friday during coding hours.
MMDA chief Romando Artes previously said every time the agency suspends number coding, 20 percent more vehicles are added to the metropolis’ roadways.
This translates to around 800 more vehicles on EDSA and 400 more on C5, two of the metropolis’ prime thoroughfares.
The city government of Manila said the stretch of Quintin Paredes from P. Burgos Ave. to Dasmarinas St., Jones Bridge, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and Plaza Cervantes will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 9 p.m. on January 28, the eve of the Chinese New Year.
Motorists coming from Reina Regente St. using Juan Luna Street intending to use the southbound lane of Jones Bridge are advised to turn left to Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, then turn right to Noberto Ty, turn right to Yuchengco Street, then turn left to Ongpin to their point of destination.
Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Avenue/Taft Avenue intending to ply Jones Bridge shall go straight to McArthur Bridge or Quezon Bridge to their point of destination, while those coming from Plaza Sta. Cruz utilizing Dasmariñas St. are advised to turn right to Quintin Paredes Street to their points of destination.
Motorists coming from Magallanes Drive going to Binondo-Intramuros Bridge shall go straight to Andres Soriano Avenue to Anda Circle to their points of destination.